beta-substituted-delta alpha,beta-gamma-butyrolactones and beta-substituted-beta-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactones and the methods of preparing them



Patented Sept. 26, 1944 OFFICE I Robert onscreen, W on melon, N. 1., and Martin Rubin, Baltimore, Md, assignora to Eli I corporation of Indiana No Drawing. Application March 21, 1941, Serial No. 384,586

11 Claims. (Cl. 260-344) This invention relates to a fi -substituted-A"'-'ybutyrolactones and to p-substituted-fl-hydroxy- -butyrolactones and to the methods of preparing them.

The compositions of this invention are represented by the following formulas:

R( --CH:

in which R is a member or the class which consists of acylic and carbocyclic groups derived from acylic andcarbocyclic compounds respectively, which compounds are capable of reacting with magnesium to form a Grignards reagent. A Grignard's reagent is any one of a group of organic magnesium compounds of the general type Ra-Mg-Y in which R: is an organic radical and Y is a halogen. The acylic and carbocyclic groups may contain one or more substituents such as hydroxyl, alkyl, alkenyl, and alkoxy. Sometimes it is necessary to protect the substituent group in order to form the required Grignards reagent. The compound of the protected group forms with magnesium the required Grignards reagent.

The compositions of this invention are prepared by reacting a compound represented by the formula:

(2) R-Mg-X in which R has the same meaning as before and X is a halogen of the class consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine, to the action of an -alkoxyacetonitrile. This action may be represented by the following equation: (a RM x+m0cmcN R|0CHz.(|l=NMgX H01 ROHz.CI=NMgX Y1? RlOCHMfi.R+NH4Cl+MgClX+HzO i 2 O Q The o alkoxymethyl ketone is reacted with an esteroi a haloacetic acid selected from the class whichconsists of chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Ind., a

acid, and iodoacetic acid (ZCH:.COOR: in which R2 represents an alkyl radical. preferably the methyl or ethyl radical, and Z represents chlorine, bromine, or iodine) in the presence of zinc in an inert solvent, such as benzene or toluene. Preferably this mixture is refluxed and the reaction product is treated with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid, which is cooled to approximately 0 C. and separated from inorganic constituents to form an ester of B-R-phydroxy p alkozymethylpropionic acid. The action which takes place is represented by the following equation:

o a.c.cn,on1+zcmc con, A axaomom mecca,

on n.c -cm+znzc1 OH on acL-cnfinon n.e.--cm+n,on

H: 00R: H, 0011' B1 B1 For substantially complete isolation of the p-R-phydroxy-p-alkoxymethylpropionic acid, the fl-R- ,8-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethylpropionic acid is preferably extracted with ether from the reaction mixture. The ether may then be removed by distillation to yield the desired product. The p-R- p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethylpropionic acid is then treated with hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid. The reaction may be performed in a suitable inert solvent, such as a. liquid saturated aliphatic acid, or it may be conducted in the presence oi the hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid alone. Preferably the p-R-phydroxy-p-aikoxymethylpropionic acid is refluxed at '95 -100" C. for a period of not more than 1.5.hours, during'which time p-R-phydroxy 'y-butyrolactone is formed together with some ,B-R-A y-butyrolactone. The reaction which takes place may be represented by the following equations:

The reaction which takes place in The B R 49 hydroxy 1 butyrolactone is then treated with hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, preferably in an inert solvent, such as a lower aliphatic acid, at 140-150 C. for a period of at least 2 hours during which time the B-R-A 'wbutyrolactone is form d. The reaction which which takes place may be represented by the following equation:

R.o--oH,+HBr ao= on+zmo+mm Typical examples of the compositions of this invention and the methods of preparing them are as follows:

EXAMPLE 1.Preparation of fl-phenfll-A butyrolactone To a mixture of 50.1 of o-methoxymethylphenyl ketone, 21.8 g. of granulated zinc, and 250 cc. of dry benzene in a flask provided with an eflicient reflux condenser are added 55.7 g. of freshly distilled ethyl bromoacetate. On gentle warming 9.

vigorous exothermic reaction results, during which time the zinc compound of ethyi'p-phenyl- B hydroxy p methoxymethyl propionate is formed. After'this reaction moderates, the mixture is refluxed for approximately two hours. When cooled, the organozinc compound is decomposed with ice-coid dilute sulfuric acid. The benzene layer, which contains the ethyl fi-phenylp-hydroxy-fi-methoxymethyl propionate is separated and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The benzene solution is then evaporated and the resulting oil is distilled. The ethyl p-phenyi-phydroxy-p-methoxymethyl propionate boils at about 112 0., corrected, at 2 mm.

- The reaction which takes place may be represented by the following equation:

This ester saponifled by boiling with a 5 percent solution of sodium hydroxide in 50 percent alcohol for about one hour. The solution is then cooled to room temperature and acidified with a mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid. The free acid, which is p phenyl p hydroxy p methoxymethyl propionic acid, is extracted with ether and slowly crystallizes after removal of the solvent. Preferably it is recrystallized from petroleum ether. It melts at about 60 0., corrected.

21 g. of ,8-phenyl-p-hydroxy-p-methoxymethyi propionic acid is refluxed for one and one-half hours with 60 cc. of glacial acetic acid previously saturated with hydrogen bromide at 0 C. During this refluxing the p-phenyl-A -butyrolactone is fonned.

The reaction which takes place may be repre sented by the following equation:

(Q-0:011 H147 I fragrant odor, reduces Tollens' reagent and gives the characteristic red color with alkaline sodium nitroprusside solution. An analysis reveals '75 percent carbon an 5.3 percent hydrogen, which compares with a theoretical value of '15 percent carbon and 5 percent hydrogen.

Examrm: 2.--Preparation of p-cyclohexyl-A-'- butyrolactone and p-cyclohezul-p-hydrozv-vbutyrolactone To a well cooled solution of cyclohexyl magnesium chloride prepared from 118.6 g. of cyclohexyl chloride and 24.3 g. of magnesium in 400 cc. of ether is added drop-wise a solution of 71 g. of methoxyacetonitrile in 300 cc. of ether.

which time the desired reaction is completed, the

reaction mixture is treated with ice and dilute sulfuric acid. The ether layer, which contains u-methoxymethylcyclohexyl ketone, is separated fromthe water layer. The ether layer is steam distilled for removal of steam volatile impurities and the methoxymethylcyclohexyl ketone is extracted from the residue with ether and distilled at reduced pressure. It boils at about 110 to 111 C., corrected at 21 mm. pressure. The ethylp-cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy-B-methoxymethyl propionate is prepared from the w-methoxymethylcyclohexyl ketone in the same manner as that described in Example 1 for the preparation of analogous ethyl-p-phenyl-fl-hydroxy-p-methoxymethyl propionate. The fl-cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy-p-methoxymethyl propionic acid is obtained from the corresponding ester by alkaline saponification. The acid is recrystallized from petroleum ether and melts at about 48? C., corrected. A mixture of 110 g. of fl-cyclohexyl-flhydroxy-p-methoxymethyl propionic acid and I 210 cc. of an acetic solution of hydrogen bromide saturated at .0 C. is heated under reflux in an oil bath at a bath temperature of 95-100 C. for 1.5 hours. After cooling the mixture is poured into ice water and the resulting solution is neutralized with sodium carbonate. fi-Cyclohexyl-fi-hydroxy-y-butyrolactone separates as a. crystalline solid. The solution, after filtration of the above .tone are recrystallized first from ether and then from water. The p-cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy-v-butyrolactone melts at 112 C., corrected. An analysis reveals 65.7 percent carbon and 8.8 percent hydrogen which compares with a theoreti- Exurru: 3.Preparationof p-eycloheevt-A' butvrolactone and fl-cvclohexyl-fl-hudroxy-ybutyrolactone by the alternate method Cyclohexyl-w-ethoxymethyl ketone is prepared in the same manneras the analogous methoxymethyl compound described in Example 2. From this e t h yl p-cyclohexyl-fi-hydroxy-p-ethoxymethyl propionate is prepared in the same manner as the analogous methoxymethyl compound described in Example 2. A mixture of 30 g. of e t h y l p-cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy-p-ethoxymethyl propionate and 85 cc. of a solution of hydrogen bromide in acetic acid is refluxed over a free flame for 2 hours. The reaction mixture, which contains both the ,9-cyclohexyl-A--'y-butyrolaccal value of 65.3 percent carbon and 8.8 percent hydrogen. The lactone is saturated toward catalytically activated hydrogen, gives negative T01- lens and nitroprusside tests and takes up one 7 equivalent of alkali on saponification.

I The p-cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy-'y-butyrolactone has the following formula:

era-0H. OH (14) C\: CH- -CH:

CHr-C H: =0

C'Hz-CH:

(15) C 2 CHC='CH CHr-Cg Ha =0 tone and p-cyclohexyl-j3-hydroxy-'y-butyrolactone, is then worked up as in Example 2 to obtain the two constituents. p-cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy-wbutyrolactone as thus obtained melts at 112 C., corrected. p-cyclohexyl-A -'y-butyrolactone as thus obtained boils at 132-135 C., corrected, at 4 mm. pressure.

EXAMPLE 4.-Preparation of fi-CyCl0h$1Il-A"--ybuturolactone p-Cyclohexyl-p-hydroxy- -butyrolactone is refluxed at 140-150 C. for two hours with four volumes of a solution of hydrogen bromide in acetic acid previously saturated at 0 C. The unsaturated lactone is isolated from the reaction mixture exactly as in Example 3.

EXAMPLE 5.--Preparation of p-n-butyl-A=. butyrolactone The ethyl p-n-butyl-p-hydroxy-,6-methoxymethyl propionate is prepared from n-butyl magnesium bromide and methoxyacetonitrile in the same manner as the analogous compound described in Example 2 and the acid of this ester is produced 'by alkaline saponification of the ester. The ester is treated with hydrobromic acid in glacial acetic acid to form p-n-butyl-N- butyrolactone which has a boiling point'of about 102 C., corrected, at 1 mm. pressure. An analysis of the lactone prepared by this method reveals 68.2 percent carbon and 9 percent hydrogen compared with the calculated values of 68.5 percent carbon and 8.6 percent hydrogen. This lactone is represented by the following formula:

lP-C IHPC=ICH The ethyl ,6-cyclopentyl-p-hydroxy-p-methoxymethyl propionate is prepared from cyclopentyl magnesium chloride and methoxyacetonitrile in the same manner as the analogous compound described in Example 2, and the acid of this ester is produced by alkaline saponification of the ester. The acid is treated with hydrogen bromide in glacial acetic acid to form p-cyclopentyl-A""-' -butyrolactone which has a boiling point of about -132 C., corrected, at 1.5 mm. pressure. An analysis of the lactone prepared by this method reveals 71.0 percent carbon and 8.0 percent hydrogen which compares with the calculated values of 70.4 percent carbon and 7.8

percent hydrogen. This lactone is represented by the following formula:

(17) oil-oxen Gin-c4 H, c=o

EXAMPLE 7.Preparation of p-(p-hydroxyphenyl) -A "-'y-butyrolactone A solution of 35 g. of ethyl bromoacetate in 25 cc. of dry benzene is added drop-wise to a boiling mixture of 38 g. of p-methoxyphenyl-w-methoxymethyl ketone, 20.9 g. of granulated zinc and 1'75 cc. of dry benzene in a flask equipped with a reflux condenser and stirrer. Preferably the solution of ethyl bromoacetate is added during the course of about an hour with constant stirring, and the mixture is then refluxed for 3 hours longer. The reaction mixture which contains the desired zinc complex is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid and the benzene layer is separated and dried with sodium sulfate. During this time the desired ethyl p-(lp-methoxyphenyl) -,B-hydroxy-p-methoxymethyl propionate is formed.

\ After removal of thebenzene, the product is distilled at reduced pressure. It boils at about 152 4 C. to 160 C., corrected, at 0.6 mm. pressure. An analysis reveals 62.9 percent carbon and 7.8 percent hydrogen which compares with theoretical values of 62.7 percent carbon and 7.5 percent hydrogen. The desired product may be represented by the following formula:

The ethyl fl-(p-methoxyphenyl)-p-hydroxy-,9- methoxymethyl pro pionate is treated with an alkaline solution exactly as in Example 1. During this time c-(p-methoxyphenyl)-[3-hydroxyfl-methoxymethyl propionic acid is formed. An analysis reveals the presence of 60.0 percent car bon and 6.9 percent hydrogen which compares with theoretical values of 60.0 percent carbon and 6.7 percent hydrogen.

A solution of 4.8 g. of fi-(p-methoxyphenyl) -,3- hydroxy-fi-methoxymethyl propionic acid is refluxed at 110-120 C. with 16 cc. of a solution of hydrogen bromide in acetic acid previously saturated at 0 C. The cooled reaction mixture is poured into ice water and the desired p-(p-methoxyphenyl)-A"-'y-butyro1actone is filtered off. It may be recrystallized preferably from dilute alcohol and melts at about 124.5" C,, corrected. An analysis reveals the presence of 69.8 percent carbon and 5.6 percent hydrogen which compares with theoretical values of 69.5 percent carbon and 5.3 percent hydrogen. The product may be represented by the following formula:

A solution of 0.5 g. of p-(p-methoxyphenyD- A -y-butyrolactone is refluxed with a mixture of 9 cc. of 48 percent aqueous hydrobromic acid and 6 cc. of acetic acid for 3 hours. The cooled solution is poured into ice water and the desired p-(p-hydroxyphenyl) -A"-'y-butyrolactone which crystallized preferably from dilute alcohol or from water and melts at about 245 C., corrected. An analysis reveals the presence of 68.6 percent carbon and 5.1 percent hydrogen which compares with theoretical values of 68.2 percent carbon and 4.6 percent hydrogen. The product may be represented by the following formula:

EXAMPLE 8.-Preparation of ,e-(p-hydrozyphenyl)-A'-' -butyrolact0ne by an alternate procedure Ethyl p-(p methoxyphenyl) p hydroxy-pmethoxymethyl propionate is prepared exactly as.

in Example 7. It is. then refluxed in a mixture of 48 percent aqueous hydrobromic acid and acetic acid for 3 hours. The desired fl (p-hydroxypheny1-)-A"-- -butyrolactone which is formed is isolated exactlyas in Example 7. As thus prepared the lactone melts at about 245 C., corrected, and the melting point is not depressed when the lactone is mixed with lactone prepared in Example 7.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been described, various'modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The process of preparing a fi-substituted-chydroxy- -butyrolactone whichcomprises subjecting a compound represented by the following formula:

RMg-X in which R is a member of the class which consists of acyclic and carbocyclic groups and X is a halogen of the class consisting of chlorine,

bromine, and iodine to the action of an alkoxyacetonitrile, treating the resulting product with with an ester of a haloacetic acid selected from the class which consists of chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid, and iodoacetic acid, in the presence of zinc, treating the resulting product with an aqueous acid solution to form an ester of fl-R-B-hydroxy-fl-alkoxymethyl propionic acid, subjecting the said ester of fi-R-fi-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acid to the action of a base in a suitable solvent to form fl-R-fl-hydroxy-B- alkoxymethyl propionic acid and treating said p-R-p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acid with a hydrohalogen acid selected from the class which consists of hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids.

2. The process of preparing a p-substituted-flhydroxy-y-butyrolactone which comprises subjecting a compound represented by the following formula:

' in which R is a member of the class which con acetic acid, and iodoacetic acid, in the presence is formed is filtered off. The lactone may be re- 76 of zinc, treating the resulting product with an aqueous acid solution to form an ester of fi-R-flhydroxy-p-alkoxy'methyl propionic acid, subjecting the said ester of p-R-p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acid to the action of a base in a suitable solvent to form fi-R-fihydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acid and treating the said p-R- p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acid with a solution of hydrobromic acid in a liquid satu-- rated aliphatic acid at a temperature between 95 C. and 100 C.

3. The process of preparing a ,B-substituted-flhydroxy-y-butyrolactone which comprises treating a member of the class which consists of ,B-R-p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acids and derivatives of ,3-R-,8-hydroxy-fl-alkoxymethyl propionic acids, in which R represents a member of the class which consists of acyclic and carbocyclic groups, with a hydrohalogen acid selected from the class which consists of hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids.

4. The process of preparing a fl-substituted-flhydroxy-v-butyrolactone which comprises treating a member of the class which consists of 5-H- p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acids and derivatives of p-R-phydroxy p alkoxymethyl propionic acids, in which R represents a member of the class which consists of acyclic and carbo cyclic groups, with hydrobromic acid.

5. The process of preparing a fi-substituted- A-"-'y-butyrolactone which comprises subjecting a compound represented by the following formula:

propionic acid to the action of a base in a suit- I able solvent to form fi-R-p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acid and treating the said 5- R 3 hydroxy p alkoxymethyl propionic acid with a hydrohalogen acid selected from the class which consists of hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids.

6. The process of preparing a p-substituted- A""--y-butyrolactone which comprises subjecting a compound represented by the following formula RMg--X in which R is a member of the class which consists of acyclic and carbocyclic groups and X is a halogen to the action of an alkoxyacetonitrile, treating the resulting product with an aqueous solution to form an w-alkoxymethyl-R-ketone,

, propionic acid to the action of a base in a suitable solvent to form a ,6 R p hydroxy 5 alkoxymethyl propionic acid and treating the said 5- R 5 hydroxy ,3 alkoxymethyl propionic acid with hydrobromic acid.

'7. The process of preparing a fl-substituted- A"--y-butyr0lactone which comprises treating a member of the class which consists of B-R-p-hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acids and derivatives of 18 R [5' hydroXy-B-alkoxymethyl propionic acids, in which R represents a. member of the class which consists of acyclic and carbocyclic groups, with a hydrohalogen acid selected from the class which consists of hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids.

8. The process of preparing a fi-substituted- A -v-butyrolactone which comprises treating a member of the class which consists of fl-R-B- hydroxy-p-alkoxymethyl propionic acids and derivatives of ,B-R-fi-hydroxy-fi-alkoxymethyl propionic acids, in which R represents a member of the class which consists of acyclic and carbocyclic groups, with hydrobromic acid.

9. The process of preparing a p-substituted- A -y-butyrolactone, which comprises heating a B-R-p-hydroxy-v-butyrolactone, in which R is an organic radical, with a hydrohalogen acid selected from the class which consists of hydrochloric and hydrobromic acids.

10. The process of preparing a p-substituted- A y-butyrolactone, which comprises heating a fl-R-p-hydroxy-v-butyrolactone, in which R is an organic radical, with hydrobromic acid.

11. A B substituted ,6 hydroxy-y-butyrolactone which is represented by the following formula:

bon atom directly attached to the carbon atom of the lactone nucleus.

ROBERT C. ELDERFIELD. MAR'IIN RUBIN. 

